[2026 Latest Edition] The Ultimate Guide to Ehime Tourism! 5 Classic & Hidden Gems to Savor History and Breathtaking Scenery

Ehime Prefecture, showcasing diverse facets even within Shikoku, offers an endless array of attractions that captivate travelers: from castles steeped in historical romance and the healing touch of ancient hot springs, to breathtaking vistas overlooking the myriad islands of the Seto Inland Sea, and even local delights that fully embrace its citrus bounty.

In this article, we’ve carefully selected ‘Ehime’s 5 Classic & Hidden Gems’ that are must-visits for everyone, from short-term travelers to those who wish to deeply savor Ehime. We bring you these spots with a genuine local feel, including the latest updates on the much-talked-about ‘Dogo Onsen Main Building,’ which has fully reopened after extensive renovations.

Dogo Onsen Main Building

📍 Address: 5-6 Dogoyunomachi, Matsuyama, Ehime 790-0842, Japan

Dogo Onsen, counted as one of Japan’s three oldest hot springs, carries a legend that even Prince Shotoku visited it. Its symbol, ‘Dogo Onsen Main Building,’ finally fully reopened in July 2024, concluding extensive preservation and repair work that lasted approximately five and a half years. While preserving its majestic three-story architecture, crafted by a castle carpenter in the Meiji era, comfort has been enhanced with the installation of air conditioning and heating, attracting bustling crowds of domestic and international tourists daily.

Inside the building, there are two bathing areas: ‘Kami-no-Yu’ (Bath of the Gods) and ‘Tama-no-Yu’ (Bath of the Spirits), allowing visitors to choose their bathing style according to their plan. Particularly, if you use the newly established private rooms ‘Hisho no Ma’ (Flight Room) or ‘Shirasagi no Ma’ (White Heron Room), you can enjoy a luxurious soak away from the hustle and bustle. For history enthusiasts, a guided tour of ‘Yushinden,’ the exclusive imperial bath visited by successive members of the Imperial Family, is also a must-see.

However, as it is a popular facility, it is not uncommon for it to become ‘crowded like packed potatoes’ (very crowded) depending on the time of day. A local tip is to aim for the first bath in the relatively less crowded early morning, or, if prepared for a wait, to spend time exploring nearby attractions like the ‘Botchan Karakuri Clock’ and ‘Tama-no-Ishi’ (Tamanoishi Stone). After your bath, don’t forget to capture the fantastical nighttime exterior, illuminated in red, with your camera.

Matsuyama Castle

📍 Address: 1 Marunouchi, Matsuyama, Ehime 790-0008, Japan

Matsuyama Castle stands majestically atop Mount Katsuyama, at an altitude of 132m, in the heart of Matsuyama City. Construction began in 1602 by Kato Yoshiaki, one of Hideyoshi Toyotomi’s retainers counted among the ‘Seven Spearmen of Shizugatake,’ taking approximately a quarter-century to complete. It boasts the largest scale of any castle in Shikoku and is one of the ‘Twelve Existing Original Castles’ with a keep dating from before the Edo period, designated as a National Important Cultural Property.

Access to the summit is generally by ropeway or lift. On a fine day, the lift offers a pleasant breeze and a delightful aerial stroll. However, once you step into the main bailey, you’ll be overwhelmed by its ‘practical’ structure, featuring steep stairs and thick beams, contrary to its elegant exterior. Imagining how people in ancient times ascended and descended these steep steps is also a highlight of exploring the castle.

From the top floor of the keep, a magnificent 360-degree panorama unfolds, offering views of Matsuyama City, the distant Seto Inland Sea, and the Ishizuchi mountain range. Despite being a strategic defensive stronghold, the scenery is so stunning that one might mistakenly think, ‘Did they just build a castle here because the view was so good?’ The castle also features experience corners where visitors can hold real swords or try on samurai armor, making it a satisfying spot for first-time castle visitors and deep history enthusiasts alike.

Imabari Castle

📍 Address: 3-1-3 Tooricho, Imabari, Ehime 794-0036, Japan

Imabari Castle, constructed from 1602 by Todo Takatora, a renowned Sengoku-period warlord known as a master castle builder, is a nationally rare ‘sea castle’ and one of Japan’s three great ‘water castles,’ alongside Takamatsu Castle in Kagawa and Nakatsu Castle in Oita. Its most distinctive feature is the vast inner moat, directly fed by seawater from the Seto Inland Sea. Within this spacious moat, which measures 50-70m wide, the water level changes with the tides, allowing visitors to observe saltwater fish like mullet and sea bream swimming.

Although the current keep was rebuilt in the Showa era, the striking contrast between its white walls and the blue sky, along with its beautiful five-story, six-floor silhouette, makes it highly photogenic. From the top floor of the keep (observation deck), you can enjoy panoramic views of Imabari city and the picturesque multiple islands of the Shimanami Kaido.

Within the grounds, a powerful equestrian statue of Lord Todo Takatora stands, and the unique arrangement of Fukiage Shrine being adjacent to the main bailey and very close to the castle structure also appeals to history enthusiasts. Furthermore, the illumination after sunset is a must-see. The keep and stone walls, lit by approximately 100 lights, are fantastically reflected on the water’s surface, creating a breathtakingly beautiful sight.

Kiroosan Observatory Park

📍 Address: 487-4 Minamiura, Yoshiumi-cho, Imabari, Ehime 794-2115, Japan

If you’re driving along the Shimanami Kaido, a definite must-stop is ‘Kiroosan Observatory Park,’ located on the southern tip of Oshima Island at an altitude of approximately 308m. This observatory was designed by the world-renowned architect Kengo Kuma. It was created with the concept of ‘Invisible Architecture’ (or ‘Negative Architecture’), where the building is intentionally embedded within the terrain so as not to spoil the mountain’s landscape, making the observatory itself a stylish space like a piece of modern art.

From the panoramic observation deck at the summit, a 360-degree spectacle of multiple islands unfolds, featuring the dynamic currents of the ‘Kurushima Strait,’ one of Japan’s three great rapid tides, and the world’s first triple-suspension bridge, the ‘Kurushima Kaikyo Bridge.’ Especially at dusk, when the sky is painted orange, it’s a prime photo opportunity that attracts many photographers. The regularly illuminated bridge and the night view of Imabari city are also not to be missed.

However, the road to the observatory is steep, narrow, and has many blind curves, so extreme caution is required when driving. Additionally, parking near the summit is limited, and it tends to fill up on weekends and around sunset, so it’s recommended to visit with ample time. The observation deck can be very windy on certain days, so please be careful not to let your hat or smartphone be blown away.

Mican Park Baishinji

📍 Address: 1374-1 Baishinji-cho, Matsuyama, Ehime 791-8082, Japan

When it comes to Ehime, ‘mikan’ (mandarin oranges) immediately come to mind. ‘Mican Park Baishinji,’ located right next to Iyo Railway’s Baishinji Station, is where you can fully immerse yourself in the world of ‘Mican,’ Ehime Prefecture’s incredibly popular mascot character. From its exterior to its interior, the entire space is filled with Mican-themed decor, exuding a pop charm that will bring a smile to anyone’s face, not just character fans.

On the first floor, you’ll find a corner where you can actually experience the ‘orange juice flowing from a tap,’ a local urban legend, along with a shop brimming with Mican merchandise, and a space where you can observe the mikan processing operations. The second floor features an open-air cafe, where you can savor adorable and delicious citrus sweets, such as Iyo-mikan soft-serve ice cream and pancakes decorated with Mican’s face.

From the cafe’s large windows, a nostalgic scene unfolds, featuring the tranquil Seto Inland Sea and Baishinji Station, famous as a filming location for the drama ‘Tokyo Love Story.’ You can relax and unwind, enveloped in the sweet and sour aroma of mikan, while watching trains come and go. With excellent access from Matsuyama City, it’s a heartwarming local spot, perfect for concluding your trip or searching for souvenirs.

[Tips] Local Ways to Make Your Ehime Trip Even More Enriching

For getting around Ehime Prefecture, the tram (Iyo Railway) is convenient within Matsuyama City. The sight of retro trams running through the streets evokes a sense of travel romance, and access to Dogo Onsen and Matsuyama Castle is excellent. If you venture a bit further to the Shimanami Kaido or Imabari area, a rental car will significantly expand your range of activities.

Also, when dining, be sure to try ‘Taimeshi’ (sea bream rice), a local Ehime specialty. There are two types of Ehime’s Taimeshi: ‘Matsuyama Taimeshi,’ which is a pilaf-style dish with cooked sea bream and rice, and ‘Uwajima Taimeshi,’ where fresh sea bream sashimi is mixed with a special sauce and raw egg, then served over hot rice. Experiencing the different food cultures depending on the region during your sightseeing is one of the profound joys of an Ehime trip.